Without The Sage Is Stoicism Broken?

In today's episode of Practical Stoicism, I delve into a challenging question often posed by newcomers to Stoicism: "If the Stoic Sage is purely aspirational, what motivation do we have to work on our character?" Addressing this, I explore why striving for unattainable ideals, such as perfect health or the perfect dinner, remains essential, despite their inherent impossibility.  I draw parallels between the pursuit of excellence in various fields—be it medicine, fitness, or culinary arts—and the philosophical journey toward becoming a better Stoic. This episode unpacks the importance of perpetual improvement and how it enriches our lives and professions, despite the certainty that perfection is unachievable.  I also challenge the notion that the unattainable nature of sagehood undermines the value of Stoicism. By embracing the continuous pursuit of virtue, we acknowledge that while perfection is a myth, the journey toward it is filled with meaningful growth and self-improvement. Join me as I argue that the quest for a virtuous life, much like life itself, is about valuing the journey, not just the destination. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices